Chapter 5

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           It’sveryquiet.Thelightismuted.Iamcomfortableandwarm,inthisbed.Hmm…Iopenmyeyes,andforamomentI’mtranquilandserene,enjoyingthestrange,unfamiliarsurroundings.IhavenoideawhereIam.Theheadboardbehindmeisintheshapeofamassivesun.It’soddlyfamiliar.Theroomislargeandairyandplushlyfurnishedinbrownsandgoldsandbeiges.Ihaveseenitbefore.Where?Mybefuddledbrainstrugglesthroughitsrecentvisualmemories.Holycrap.I’mintheHeathmanHotel…inasuite.IhavestoodinaroomsimilartothiswithKate.Thislooksbigger.Oh,shit.I’minChristianGrey’ssuite.HowdidIgethere?

           Fracturedmemoriesofthepreviousnightcomeslowlybacktohauntme.Thedrinking—ohno,thedrinking—thephonecall—ohno,thephonecall—thevomiting—ohno,thevomiting.JoséandthenChristian.Ohno.Icringeinwardly.Idon’tremembercominghere.I’mwearingmyT-shirt,bra,andpanties.Nosocks.Nojeans.Holyshit.

           Iglanceatthebedsidetable.Onitisaglassoforangejuiceandtwotablets.Advil.Controlfreakthatheis,hethinksofeverything.Isitupandtakethetablets.Actually,Idon’tfeelthatbad,probablymuchbetterthanIdeserve.Theorangejuicetastesdivine.It’sthirst-quenchingandrefreshing.

           There’saknockonthedoor.Myheartleapsintomymouth,andIcan’tseemtofindmyvoice.Heopensthedooranywayandstrollsin.

           Holyhell,he’sbeenworkingout.He’singraysweatpantsthathang,inthatway,offhishipsandagraysleevelessT-shirtwhichisdarkwithsweat,likehishair.